Ross, Tasmania

Ross Tasmania
Ross Bridge with the Uniting Church in the background
Ross
Coordinates	42°01′48″S 147°29′31″E / 42.03000°S 147.49194°E / -42.03000; 147.49194Coordinates: 42°01′48″S 147°29′31″E / 42.03000°S 147.49194°E / -42.03000; 147.49194
Population	272 (2006 census)
Established	1812
Postcode(s)	7209
Elevation	186 m (610 ft)
Location	78 km (48 mi) from Launceston 117 km (73 mi) from Hobart
LGA(s)	Northern Midlands Council
State electorate(s)	Lyons
Federal Division(s)	Lyons
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 17.5 °C 64 °F 5.5 °C 42 °F 490.1 mm 19.3 in

Ross is an historic town in the Midlands of the state of Tasmania in Australia. On the Macquarie River, Ross is located 78 km south of Launceston and 117 km north of Hobart. The town is listed on the Register of the National Estate and is noted for its historic bridge, original sandstone buildings and convict history.

The town of Ross lies in lands that were traditionally owned by Tasmanian Aborigines, specifically the Tyrernotepanner (Stony Creek) Nation. The aboriginal name for the area that now constitutes the Ross township was mackerler (Mack-er-ler).

The first European to explore the district was surveyor Charles Grimes who passed through the area while mapping Tasmania's central area including parts of what later became known as the Macquarie River. On an expedition in 1811, Governor Lachlan Macquarie passed through the area himself and, as he recorded in his journal,

Later that year, a timber bridge was built over the river and subsequently Ross became an important stopover on road journeys between Launceston and Hobart. It developed as a base for the local garrison and became a centre for trade for the surrounding district. Between 1848 and 1854 approximately 12,000 female convicts passed through the Female Factory.

Ross Post Office opened on 1 June 1832. In 1836 the stone bridge, known as Ross Bridge, was completed.

By the time of Australian Federation in 1901, the permanent population had grown to 311 and the wider area had become known as a fine wool growing district. At this time Ross had four churches, a post and telegraph office, a savings bank, one hotel, and a town hall and library.